Necktie holder

ABSTRACT

A necktie holder is formed of a simple molded piece of plastic with abutment projections extending obliquely outward from a base and fingers extending obliquely outward from the abutment projections so that the front edge of each finger confronts the oblique edge of a neighboring abutment projection to form a resilient slot for neckties. With such an arrangement the resilience of each slot is independent of the loading of other slots.

United States Patent m1 1 Oct. 2, 1973 Tobin 1 NECKTIE HOLDER [76'] Inventor: Robert A. Tobin, 67 Lake Bluff Rd.,

Rochester, N.Y. 14622 221 Filed: July 27,1971

21 Appl.No.: 166,496

Related US. Application Data [63] Continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 53,884, July 10,

1970, abandoned.

[52] [1.8. CI.....; 211/13, 211/89 [51] Int. Cl. A47f 7/12 [58] Field of Search ..2l1/13,100,120,

211/124, 89, 60 R, 61, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69.1; 248/224, 316 D; 24/138 R, 255 AS, 255 BS,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 294,707 3/1884 Wentworth 24/138 R 2,612,274 9/1952 Earll l 211/89 3,178,775 4/1965 T388611 248/224 3,310,179 3/1967 Cappuzzello 21 1/89 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 115,481 6/1929 Austria 211/89 514,867 3/1921 France 24/138 R 40,430 8/1965 Germany 211/60 R 365,940 [/1963 Switzerland... 211/89 842,391 6/1952 Germany 248/316 D 398,921 3/1966 Switzerland 248/316 D Primary ExaminerRoy D; Frazier Assistant Examiner-Thomas .1. Holko AttorneyCumpst0n, Shaw & Stephens [57] ABSTRACT A necktie holder is formed of a simple molded piece of plastic with abutment projections extending obliquely outward from a base and fingers extending obliquely outward from the abutment projections so that the front edge of each finger confronts the oblique edge of a neighboring abutment projection to form a resilient slot for neckties. With such an arrangement the resilience of each slot is independent of the loading of other slots.

14 Claims, 9 Drawing Figures PATENTEDBIJ 2 m SHEET 1 [1F 2 INVENTOR.

ROBERT A. TOBIN W M w HIS ATTORNEYS.

PATENTEDBBT 2 SHEET 2 0F 2 -1! Juli FIG- '7 INVENTOR.

A. roam BY ms ATTORNEYS NECKTIE HOLDER RELATED APPLICATIONS This application is a continuation-in-part of my parent application Ser. No. 053,884, filed July 10, 1970,

entitled NECKTIE HOLDER, and abandoned upon the filing of this application.

THE INVENTIVE IMPROVEMENT Necktie holders are a well-developed art, and yet they remain less than optimum. Holders using pegs to support the ties are objectionable because they let ties slide over the pegs and fall off the holder or become tangled. Independent spring clip holders are relatively expensive to make and require two hands for loading or unloading a tie.

Resilient tie-holding slots such as suggested by the US. Pat. No. 1,701,783 provide a potentially better solution in allowing each tie to be held securely by the sides of a resilient walled slot gripping the tie just below its center fold. However, the resilience of each slot is affected by the loading of neighbor slots so that after a few relatively thick ties are wedged in successive slots the remaining slots are .too tight for neckties. This problem cannot be well solved by adjusting the slot width because some times are relatively thin and require a narrow slot, while others are relatively thick and require a wider slot.

The invention involves discovery of a simple way to make a resilient-slot, tie holder with slot walls that are resilient enough to accommodate thick and thin ties and are arranged so that loading of one slot does not affect its neighbor slot. The invention also included a necktie holder structure that accomplishes these advantages in a simple, single-piece, molded plastic holder that is very economical to manufacture, convenient to use, and is rugged, reliable and versatile.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The inventive necktie holder includes a base portion having relatively rigid abutment projections with approximately parallel edges that are oblique to the base. A finger extends outward from the outer end of each of the abutment projections, and the proximal ends of DRAWINGS FIG. I is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the inventive tie holder in use in a closet;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view ofa partially loaded, preferred embodiment of the inventive tie holder;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the tie holder of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a front elevation of the tie holder of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is an end elevation of the tie holder of FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the tie holder of FIG. 3 taken along the line 6 6 thereof;

FIG. 7 is a side elevational view of another preferred embodiment of the inventive necktie hanger;

FIG. 8 is a plan view of the necktie hanger of FIG. 7, and

FIG; 9 is a fragmentary cross sectional view of the necktie holder of FIG. 8 taken along the line 9 9 thereof.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION The illustrated tie holder 10 is preferably moded of resilient plastic material in a single piece construction and is designed so that a simple, two-part mold parting along a horizontal center plane can form holder 10. This allows economical manufacture and results in tie holder 10 being symmetrical so that it can be used either side up and set in many different orientations.

Holder 10 includes a base portion 1 1 that is flat at the back and has slots 12 extending inward from its edges to receive screws for securing holder 10 in place. Abutment projections 13 extend outward from the front face of base portion 11 and are formed as relatively rigid. and unyielding. Projections 13 have edges 14 that are approximately parallel and oblique to base portion 11. At the outer regions 15 of abutment projections 13, fingers 16 are formed to extend outward from each of the abutment projections 13. The proximal ends of fingers l6 join abutment projections 13 at regions 15, and fingers 1.6 are relatively thin in regions 15 to be flexible in receiving neckties. The back edges 17 of fingers 16 are aligned with oblique edges 14 of abutment projections 13, and front edges 18 of fingers l6 confront oblique edges 14 of adjacent abutment projections 13 to form tie gripping slots 19.

Oblique edges 14 of abutment projections-13 and front edges 18 of fingers l6 curve together to form recesses 20 in regions 15 where the outer ends of abutment projections 13 join the proximal ends of fingers 16. Recesses 20 make fingers l6 thin enough at their proximal ends to be resilient and flexible in response to stress from neckties. The distal regions 21 of fingers 16 are narrowed and curved outward to widen the entry into slots 19. Front edges 18 of fingers 16 are preferably angled slightly relative to oblique edges 14 as illustrated so that slots 19 are slightly wedge shaped and become narrower as they deepen.

As best shown in FIG. 6, relatively thin ridges 22 are formed along the opposite edges of slots 19 to engage neckties 25. The edges of ridges 22 are preferably curved on a small radius so that ridges 22 have a good grip on neckties 25 to prevent any pulling or spilling of neckties 25 downward through slots 19.

In operation, holder l0is secured in closet 23 or on closet door 24 as shown, and can be set horizontally or obliquely as illustrated. Holder 10 is held by screws set in slots 12 in base portion 11, and holder 10 is preferably symmetrical to allow mounting either side up. This allows slots 19 to be oriented toward the right or left for the most convenient angle for loading and displaying ties relative to the usual position of the user. Neckties 25 are folded in half and forced edgewise into slots 19 to be wedged and gripped between oblique abutment edges 14 and the front edges 18 of fingers l6. Ridges 22 at the edges of slots 19 providethe gripping edges to hold ties 25 and prevent their falling downward. Ties 25 are moved edgewise out of the open end of slot 19 for removal from holder 10, and either insertion or removal of a necktie 25 is a simple, one-hand operation.

In the regions where neckties 25 are gripped securely in slots 19, oblique edges 14 of abutment projections 13 provide relativelyfixed and rigid edges along one side of slots 19, and the resilience of slots 19 is provided by flexible fingers 16 on the other side of the slot. From proximal ends 15 outward, fingers 16 can move back and forth through a relatively wide range of flexure, and although the back edges 17 of fingers 16 move during such flexure, abutment edges 14 remain stationary. Hence, even though loading a thick and heavy tie into one of the slots 19 will flex the finger l6 bordering such slot, this will not change the position of edge 14 behind such a flexed finger, and it will leave the neighboring slot 19 unaffected. This allows either thick or thin ties to be loaded into successive slots without affecting their neighbors and prevents jamming or tight fitting in a fully loaded tie holder. It allows fingers 16 to be sufficiently resilient so that each slot 19 can accommodate either a thin, slippery tie or a thick, heavy one.

Necktie holder 30 shown in FIGS. 7-9 has fingers 31 that are similar to fingers 16 except for being approximately T-shaped in cross section as best shown in FIG 9. The front edges of fingers 31 have ridges 32 that curve to engage a tie, and the back edges 33 of fingers 31 are substantially flat and in alignment with the oblique edges 34 of abutment projecting 35. This makes one side of each resulting slot have a substantially flat surface 33 faced bya relatively thin ridge 32. This means only one ridge or thin edge is pressed against a necktie or other object for possible indentation of the object being held. This feature is especially preferred when the holder is used for objects other than ties, such as scarves and belts.

Holder 30 also differs in having a hanging hook 36 so that it can be hung on a closet rod. This allows projections 31 to be formed on opposite sides of the base 37 of holder 30 to double the holding capacity per length.

Persons wishing to practice the invention should remember that other embodiments and variations can be adapted to particular circumstances. Even though one point of view is necessarily chosen in describing and defining the invention, this should not inhibit broader or related embodiments going beyond the semantic orientation of this application but falling within the spirit of the invention. For example, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the inventive holder can be made in many shapes and sizes,and its fingers, recesses, and abutment projections can be configured in many different ways.

I claim:

1. A necktie holder made of a single piece of resin material and shaped to be formed in a two-part mold, said necktie holder comprising:

a. a base portion;

b. a plurality of rigid abutment projections extending outward from said base portion;

c. each of said abutment projections having an edge extending obliquely outward from said base portion;

d. said abutment projections extending over generally triangular regions between said oblique edges and said base to make said oblique edges rigid;

e. said rigid, oblique edgesof said abutment projections being approximately parallel;

f. a finger extending outward from the outer end of each of said abutment projections;

proximal ends being inflexibily spaced from said back edges of said fingers and movably disposed to confront said rigid, oblique edges of adjacent ones of said abutment projections to form tie-gripping slots that vary in width as said proximal ends of said fingers angularly flex; and

j. the distal regions of said fingers being narrowed to widen the entry into said slots.

2. The necktie holder of claim 1 wherein said .base portion is formed with molded slots extending inward from the edges of said base portion to receive screws for securing said holder in place.

3. The necktie holder of claim 1 including a relatively thin gripping ridge formed to extend along said front edge of each of said fingers.

4. The necktie holder of claim 3 wherein the outer edges of said ridges are curved on a relatively small radius.

5. The necktie holder of claim 4 wherein said back edges of said fingers and said rigid, oblique edges of said abutment projections are each substantially flat, and said fingers are approximately T-shaped in cross section.

6. The necktie holder of claim 1 wherein said rigid, oblique edges of said abutment projections and said confronting front edges of said fingers on the opposite side of said slots curve together to form a recess in the region of said proximal ends of said fingers.

7. The necktie holder of claim 1 wherein said front edges of said fingers are slightly angled relative to said rigid, oblique edges so said slots narrow slightly with depth.

8. The necktie holder of claim 1 wherein said back edges of said fingers and said rigid, oblique edges of said abutment projections are each substantially flat.

9. The necktie holder of claim. 2 wherein said front edges of said fingers are slightly angled relative to said rigid, oblique edges so that said slots narrow slightly with depth.

10. The necktie holder of claim 9 wherein a relatively thin gripping ridge is formed to extend along said front edge of each of said fingers, and said back edges of said fingers and said rigid, oblique edges of said abutment projections are 'each substantially flat.

11. The necktie holder of claim 10 wherein the outer edges of said ridges are curved on a relatively small radius, and said fingers are approximately T-shaped in cross section.

12. The necktie holder of claim 11 wherein said rigid, oblique edges of said abutment projections and said confronting front edges of said fingers on the opposite side of said slots curve together to form a recess in the region of said proximal ends of said fingers.

13. The necktie holder of claim 1 including a hanger hook and sets of said abutment projections and fingers arranged on opposite sides of said hanger hook.

14. The necktie holder of claim 13 including a relatively thin gripping ridge formed to extend along said front edge of each of said fingers, and wherein said back edges of said fingers and said rigid, oblique edges of said abutment projections are each approximately flat. 

1. A necktie holder made of a single piece of resin material and shaped to be formed in a two-part mold, said necktie holder comprising: a. a base portion; b. a plurality of rigid abutment projections extending outward from said base portion; c. each of said abutment projections having an edge extending obliquely outward from said base portion; d. said abutment projections extending over generally triangular regions between said oblique edges and said base to make said oblique edges rigid; e. said rigid, oblique edges of said abutment projections being approximately parallel; f. a finger extending outward from the outer end of each of said abutment projections; g. the back edges of said fingers being normally aligned with and extending outward from said rigid, oblique edges of said abutment projections; h. the proximal end regions of said fingers being thin enough to make said fingers angularly flexible relative to said abutment projections; i. the front edges of said fingers outward from said proximal ends being inflexibily spaced from said back edges of said fingers and movably disposed to confront said rigid, oblique edges of adjacent ones of said abutment projections to form tie-gripping slots that vary in width as said proximal ends of said fingers angularly flex; and j. the distal regions of said fingers being narrowed to widen the entry into said slots.
 2. The necktie holder of claim 1 wherein said base portion is formed with molded slots extending inward from the edges of said base portion to receive screws for securing said holder in place.
 3. The necktie holder of claim 1 including a relatively tHin gripping ridge formed to extend along said front edge of each of said fingers.
 4. The necktie holder of claim 3 wherein the outer edges of said ridges are curved on a relatively small radius.
 5. The necktie holder of claim 4 wherein said back edges of said fingers and said rigid, oblique edges of said abutment projections are each substantially flat, and said fingers are approximately T-shaped in cross section.
 6. The necktie holder of claim 1 wherein said rigid, oblique edges of said abutment projections and said confronting front edges of said fingers on the opposite side of said slots curve together to form a recess in the region of said proximal ends of said fingers.
 7. The necktie holder of claim 1 wherein said front edges of said fingers are slightly angled relative to said rigid, oblique edges so said slots narrow slightly with depth.
 8. The necktie holder of claim 1 wherein said back edges of said fingers and said rigid, oblique edges of said abutment projections are each substantially flat.
 9. The necktie holder of claim 2 wherein said front edges of said fingers are slightly angled relative to said rigid, oblique edges so that said slots narrow slightly with depth.
 10. The necktie holder of claim 9 wherein a relatively thin gripping ridge is formed to extend along said front edge of each of said fingers, and said back edges of said fingers and said rigid, oblique edges of said abutment projections are each substantially flat.
 11. The necktie holder of claim 10 wherein the outer edges of said ridges are curved on a relatively small radius, and said fingers are approximately T-shaped in cross section.
 12. The necktie holder of claim 11 wherein said rigid, oblique edges of said abutment projections and said confronting front edges of said fingers on the opposite side of said slots curve together to form a recess in the region of said proximal ends of said fingers.
 13. The necktie holder of claim 1 including a hanger hook and sets of said abutment projections and fingers arranged on opposite sides of said hanger hook.
 14. The necktie holder of claim 13 including a relatively thin gripping ridge formed to extend along said front edge of each of said fingers, and wherein said back edges of said fingers and said rigid, oblique edges of said abutment projections are each approximately flat. 